Health Library

Discharge Instructions: Using a Halo Ring and Vest Brace

You are going home with a halo ring and vest brace in place. A halo ring and vest brace are used to keep your head and neck from moving after a neck fracture or surgery. It consists of 3 parts:

A vest that you wear on your chest

A lightweight metal ring, or halo, that is fastened to your head with 4 pins

Four rods that extend from the vest and attach to the ring

The halo does for your neck what a cast does for a broken arm. Wearing a halo ring and vest brace means that you can go home to heal and move about, rather than staying in bed or in the hospital while your neck heals. Getting used to the halo ring and vest brace takes time, but you'll adjust. You will be wearing the device for about 12 weeks. Here's what you need to know about home care.

Skin and Hair Care

Clean the skin around the pins twice a day. Soak a Q-tip or cotton ball with soap and water to clean around the pin.